Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1887-11-17
RATHBoNE LODGE.

Z. #. Durand.
Last evening the eighteenth anniversary of
Rathbone lodge No. 1, Knights of Pythias,
was duly celebrated by that organization in
their rooms on State street. There were over
200 in attendance, among them being visitors
from lodges in Bridgeport, Hartford, Nor
witch, Greenwich and New York. The pro-
gramme was a fine one. All enjoyed the en-
tertainment and were loud in their praises of
those who took part. During the evening an
adjournment was made to the banquet hail,
where refreshments were served.
The following was the programme: Trio
overture by the orchestra; piano solo by
Miss Kate Lewis; recitation by w. g..
Isbell, P. G.. c.; musical sleigh bells.
Captain II. W. Durand vocal selection,
Miss Jennie Thomas: reading, "Pilgrim
Fathers" Mrs. J. b. Taylor; whistling solo,
Mr.. Brooks; song, Fl. w. Durand, piano solo,
"Storm," Miss Kate Lewis; recitation, s'The
Coquette," Mrs. J. H. Taylor; cornet solo,
Mr.. Brooks; song, Miss Jennie Thomas trio,
f'The Rovers' Grave" Messrs. N. P. Willis,
E. F. and Fl. w. Durand. Nearly all who
took part in the programme had to respond
to encores. The committee having the affair
in charge was made up of E. f. Durand, h.
R. Seward, J. II. Norman, D. Campbell, III.
u, d. L. H.
Pythian address was made by Colonel E. F.
Durand.
The Address.
Nineteen years ago tonight there were as
sembled in this building thirty-eighb men
who had pledged themselves to the forma-
ton of O lodge or branch OF a society the
foundation of which was friendship and
whose future should be devoted to deeds of
charity and benevolence.
nrx-arn Ank TuifI {1,ny1n mn
from New York with authority to institute
and instruct them and receive their pledges
of honor that they would carry out the prin-
ciples of the order.
The pledges were given and the impressive
ceremonies which indelibly fix in the mind
the lessons to be inculcated followed. The
officers elected were installed and Rathbone
lodge No. /, Knights of Pythias of Connec-
ticut, was born, the first in the. New England
States.
Since that memorable night this lodge has
assembled once week without q single inter-
mission, and tonight we come together to
celebrate the completion of it's nineteenth year
and the one thousandth night of meeting.
Nineteen years ago we stood alone in the
eastern States. Tonight we can count our
sister lodges by the hundreds and our brother
Knights by thousands. Then there were but
80, 900 Knights in the world; now there are
about 300, 900, men who according to our law
character, sound in bodily health and believ
ers in the Supreme Being.
Having thus briefly stated the reason for
this celebration it is but fair should give
those of you who are not members of our
order some idea of what it is, what it's prin-
ciples are and the manner in which they are
carried out in life. First, we will go back to
the time in the history of Sicily when Dion
ysius the elder was on the throne. Here fol
lowed a vivid recital of the beautiful and
pathetic story of Damon and p thias.
This bright spot on the pages of the past is
the corner stone on which our order was build
ed and to emulate the noble example of these
immortal heroes is the desire of every true
Pythian knight. To tell you what the prin-
ciples of the knights of Pythias are l will
give the declaration of principles adopted at
the session of the Supreme lodge held August
10, 1877:
Recognizing the universally of human brother
world within its jurisdiction interested solely and
only to disseminate the great principles of friend
rian political character is permitted within its
portals. federation in religion, obedience t. law
and loyalty to government are its cardinal princi-
pies
Misfortune, misery and death being written in
tion our noble order instituted to uplift the
fallen to champion humanity to be his guide aud
the asperities Of life to sabdue party spirit and by
trinity Of friendship, charity and benovolence to
bind in one harmonious brotherhood men of all
classes and all opinions The brightest jewels which
it gamers are the tears of the widows and orphans
and its imperative commands are to visit the homes
where lacerated hearts are bleeding to assage the
sufferings of brother, bury the dead. for the
widow and educate the orphan, to exercise charity
their least unfavorable light granting honesty of
purpose and good intentions to others, and to pro
tect the principles Of knighthood unto death. Its
laws are reason and equity its cordial doctrines
spire purify of thought and life. Its intention is
peace on earth, good will to men.
~, ;,,1, SIo.o Sa -, Il
ton to which every man Of honor cannot sub
scribe, and all our rites, obligations and cere-
monies are intended to more thoroughly in
still these principles into our minds and i'm
pei us to follow them out, and to practice
our golden rule, whatsoever we would that
mel should do unto and ours, do we even
so unto thea.
We take no part in political or Erelig-
ious disputes, allowing nothing to be
brought within our circle that could divide
or disturb. We have no aristocracy, but all
meet on one common level-the mechanic,
the professor, the rich, the poor, the high,
the low, 80 long as they are honorable, hon
est and pure, meet on one plane of equality.
The history of the order has been one of
which any Knight may feel proud, and were
its deeds of charity and benevolence written
in book it would be well worth the read
ing.
which it has been established and there are
not only in this city but all over the world
many, very many, who thank heaven that
the husband and father was a member of the
order
Our ideal charity is not the cold charity of
the world at large, but in its true sense a
genuine love for humanity. When we assist
a brother we do not call it charity.
We are all members as of one family, and If
trouble comes to one he simply takes his por-
tion for it is his and he receives it not as
cold charity, but as his rightful due, his own.
We teach benevolence and practice what we
teach, and while we believe in serving our
brothers first and always, we do not stop
there, but as at the time of the great Chi
cago fire, when the Knights of Pythias sent
over $15, 900 for the relief of their distressed
brethren, the Chicago Knights, after re-
lieving their own brethren, found they still
had on hand a large amount of clothing, food
and money, and this was promptly distribu-
ted among those less favored, and the report
of the committee who had the matter in
charge voiced the sentiment of the entire
order when they said we could not bear to see
suffering around US when we had the means
with which to relieve it, and as freely as we
had received we freely gave.
I could tell you of many in this city who
now live in comfort and happiness who owe
it to the benevolence of the Knights of
Pythias, and while they thank God and us
we rejoice that we have been the means of
doing good to suffering humanity.
The address then speaks of the great bene-
fits of the endowment rank, in which mem
bers may be insured for $1,000, $4,000. or
So, ZOO at the lowest rates consistent with
wisdom and safety. What blessing this
has proved in many cases!
Young in years, the organization is great
and powerful, and its principles commend
themselves and are eminently commenda-
BILE.
With other remarks the speaker concluded,
asking, Is it any wonder that we love this
order, an order with such fellowship, such
friendship, such brotherhood?